On March 13, CASA, CFA, and FCC are teaming up with the Nova Scotia Federation of Agriculture and Farm Safety NS to host FarmSafe Forum, a free, one-day event featuring an on-farm inspection training workshop as well as farm safety presentations from provincial producers.
The event takes place in conjunction with Canadian Agricultural Safety Week (March 10 to 16, 2013).
"Many farmers have told me that they don't know where to start when developing a safety plan. Learning how to identify hazards and to prioritize them is one of the first steps, and that is the exercise we will be featuring at the FarmSafe Forum," says CASA Executive Director Marcel Hacault.
CASA is already working with over a dozen farmers in NS as part of a field testing project to help producers implement the Canada FarmSafe Plan, CASA's business risk-management tool that enables farmers to develop their own customized farm safety plans. Many of these producers will be taking part in the FarmSafe Forum as part of that field test, in addition to other area farmers, students, and safety supporters. Forum participants will also hear from local farmers and safety advocates on topics such as dealing with farm injuries or taking action on safety.
"By offering the FarmSafe Forum during national farm safety week we hope to encourage farmers to not only put safety plans in place, but also put it into practice on their farms," says NSFA President Dennis Boudreau. "Hearing personal stories and experiences from farmers to farmers will encourage the process."
"We have a lot to be proud about the agriculture industry in Nova Scotia," says Faith Matchett, FCC Vice-President of Atlantic and Eastern Operations. "To keep this growth up, planning for safety is key, both off and on the farm. We're committed to helping Canadian producers stay safe at work, and this year's Canadian Ag Safety Week is a great way to raise awareness of just how important being committed to safety is."
